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HOW TO PRESERVE 



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NEW YORK: 

ED FOE THE AUTHOR. 
1864. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18&4, by 

MRS. LAWERENCE S. FITZGIBBONS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Southern District of New York. 



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HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 



It was a favorite remark of a distinguished writer, that 
all women had it in their power to make themselves hand- 
some ; she might with more truth have said, to make 
themselves young. 

There is a great deal in making one's-self young, in deter- 
mining to be so. I have seen a great deal of the world, 
and I find invariably, the moment a woman begins to con- 
sider herself old, and speak of herself as old, the world 
makes her out old, and she is old whatever her years. 

The speaking of the matter betrays a fear, and a con- 
sciousness, and not only calls the attention of people, 
but any constant fear and dread actually has the effect of 
contracting the brow, and drawing a line between the 
eyes. 

I have sometimes thought what a fortunate thing it 
would be, if it were possible, for women to forget their 
age altogether, and for all record of the time of their 
birth to be obliterated. It is a whimsical idea, but this 
constant counting of one's years, with the uncomfortable 
thought that one is getting elderly, tends so much towards 
producing that very effect. It is not possible to become 
entirely ignorant of one's actual age, but it is so desirable 
to put the matter out of one's thought, so far as it can 
be done. 

You feel fresh and young, and enjoy life" as much as you 



4: HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

ever did ; and so you are young, and should always feel 
that you are, not allowing it to enter your mind at all, 
what the world thinks. 

I can almost say that this is the one great secret for 
women to know : that they must consider themselves young, 
for it is very certain if you call yourself old, the world 
will very readily agree with you. And so long as the 
period at which we must cease to be called young is not 
fixed by any definite law, and we see many at forty actu- 
ally younger than others at twenty-five, it is just as well 
to consider, and make ourselves young. 

It is no disgrace to be sensitive as to our age, and to 
wish to appear as young as possible ; indeed, it seems very 
much like affectation when ladies pretend to be quite 
indifferent in regard to the matter. 

Many ill-bred and ill-natured people will perhaps re- 
mark to you, that " you are not so young as you were," 
and that " for a person of your age," such and such things 
are suitable, and other allusions ; but such remarks show 
so mean and narrow a spirit, in the one who makes them, 
that it is better to put them out of one's mind altogether, 
not giving them, if possible, even a second thought. 

The reply of Madame Dupont was good, when an Eng- 
lishman, after a conversation on the subject of age, said to 
her with a sneer but half concealed, " You, Madame, I see, 
are sensitive about your age." She replied, " I am sensi- 
tive to rudeness ; I ought, however, to excuse one whose 
memory concerning the usages of polite society seems to 
be failing him." 

You are conscious you are young, notwithstanding what 
is said, and you know, too, that these mean remarks result 
from envy, in one way or another, and so you will think 
no more of the matter. Sometimes, indeed, it is well when 
these mean remarks are made, to say plainly, and main- 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. O 

tain, that whatever the world may say, you consider your- 
self young. This generally has the effect of persuading 
people that you are. 

I could not, however, advise any one to put on young 
manners. It is best to act just as one chooses, entirely in 
accordance with one's own feelings, and, if possible, with- 
out allowing the consideration of youth, or age, to come 
into one's thoughts at all. 



I feel much confidence in writing these few hints to 
American ladies, because I have seen much of the world, 
and after many years of dissipation, find myself still with 
many admirers, and my age placed by strangers far back 
of what it really is. 

I have found it is not the enjoyment of life and society 
that makes inroads on the constitution, and marks itself 
on the countenance. 

Of course we must guard against excess, and remember, 
that rest is as necessary when fatigued after pleasure, as 
when fatigued after labor. 

It is certain more people rust out, than wear out, and 
that the enjoyment of the sparkle and piquancy of life, has 
a great effect in preserving the freshness of the form, and 
the youth and beauty of the face. 

A life of dissipation might not be to the taste of all ; 
but this piquancy of life is found in ordinary pleasures, if 
one will be wide-awake to enjoy one's-self. It is not at all 
well to lose a taste for pleasure ; indeed, I am quite sure, 
nothing so much tends to settle a person down into prema- 
ture age, as heaviness and stupidity. I never would allow 
this in myself for an instant. The moment I felt this heavi* 



6 HOW TO PRESERVE TOUTHFTJL LOOKS. 

ness settling upon me, I would rush out, and take a little 
brisk exercise in the open air. 

This exercise makes the blood circulate faster, the 
spirits are exhilarated, and one is ready for any happiness 
or gaiety. You feel younger, and you look younger. 

Every one must feel conscious in themselves, that when 
the spirits are settling down into dullness and stupidity, 
both the face and form are settling down too. 

This heaviness and stupidity may result from want of 
exercise, or indigestion ; these should be attended to, and 
at the same time, we should keep up a taste and fondness 
for pleasure. 

We see every day, in those around us, where this taste 
has died out, and the women have become humdrum, the 
face has become settled and old. I have seen this, some- 
times, before a person has reached thirty. 

And even when people are actually old, I have observed, 
that if they retain this fondness for pleasure, they are still 
charming and attractive, they are a drawback on no society, 
and one forgets in looking at them, that they are not still 
young. 



But at the same time, it is very certain, a youthful look 
depends very much on a healthful state of the system, and 
very many little things tend to preserve this healthful 
state. 

These things, it is particularly necessary females should 
attend to, in order to preserve health and a look of youth. 
Females, more than the other sex, because their organiza- 
tion is more delicate, and consequently more easily affected. 

And for all there are so many things to know and attend 
to, I find one need not be whimsical, nor let their thoughts 
rest very much upon the matter. 



HOW TO PKESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 7 

An excess of labor is wearing upon the system ; and 
labor imposed on the digestive organs, shows itself, or 
marks its effects, quite as much as work done by the hands. 
Indigestion is particularly to be guarded against ; it gives 
the face a heavy expression, and before very long a settled 
look. It has been thought by some, that American girls 
grow old earlier than others, and that one great cause of 
it is, the universal custom in America, of eating bread not 
sufficiently baked. It is well known, that any bread so 
little baked that a crumb of it, when pressed between the 
thumb and finger, flattens like a wafer, becomes dough 
when taken into the stomach. This, of course, produces 
constipation, from which results a heavy, settled expres- 
sion, and a strained, wrinkled look about the eyes. 

Fine wheat-bread is very good, when it is baked slowly 
and thoroughly, but it is well sometimes to eat brown 
bread. This, I find, tends to clear the complexion. 

It is very desirable to eat vegetables and fruit each day ; 
this kind of food purifies the blood, and brightens and 
clears the face. 

It is certainly well to eat some meat, and a little fat 
meat, keeps the form full and flexible. If there is a tend- 
ency to irruption, it should be removed by purifying the 
blood ; where there is a decided want of plumpness in the 
form or face, cream or cod-liver oil, are either very good 
to take. 

In speaking just now of straining the stomach, which of 
course impairs the fresh, youthful look, I should have 
remarked, that it is very bad to eat, when one is fatigued, 
or just before going to bed at night. 



8 HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

I must touch upon the subject of sleep, because I am so 
very certain, that the brightness of the eyes depends upon 
one point; it is not perhaps much known, but nothing so 
surely destroys the brilliancy of the eyes, as sleeping in a 
close, badly ventilated room. There is no doubt, this dull- 
ness of the eyes, more than anything else, gives a faded 
look to the face. It is such a pity to lose sight of this 
fact, and to neglect to preserve the brightness of the eyes. 

I have seen eyes that were naturally full and clear, 
utterly spoiled as to beauty, very early in life, by the prac- 
tice of sleeping where no external air was admitted. If 
the weather is very cold, a little opening at the window is 
sufficient, but some fresh air is absolutely necessary. The 
ill-effect of sleeping in close, bad air, though not perhaps 
generally noticed, or spoken of by physicians, certainly 
marks itself in dulling the eye sooner than in any other 
way. 

As for the amount of sleep best to be taken, I find differ- 
ent constitutions require some more, and some lessl I can 
see no special advantage in early rising, except that early in 
the morning the chemical effects of the sun's rays are 
greater than at any other time. One becomes much more 
elastic to be up inhaling the fresh air of the morning. 

I think, however, it is wearing upon the system, and 
consequently upon the face, to exercise much before 
breakfast. 

For my own part, too, I cared so much to preserve my 
complexion from a thick settled look, that I would never 
eat before going to bed, or take a nap after a meal ; I have 
found both to be very bad. 

A nap in the course of the day is very excellent, when 
one is up late at night ; but to keep the fresh, fair look of 
the face, it should always be taken before dinner or after 
lunch. 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 9 

One should always be covered while they sleep, and at 
night be comfortably warm, and lie in a straight position ; 
otherwise the blood does not circulate freely, and the sys- 
tem labors. 



On the subject of bathing, it seems hardly necessary to 
speak at all. 

It is, I believe, well known, that all the waste of the 
body is carried off through the skin, the bowels, and the 
lungs. The skin carries off a larger proportion than either 
of the others. This fact having been ascertained by care- 
ful observation. 

If frequent bathing is neglected, the pores of the skin 
become clogged, and the system labors insensibly, and this 
of course helps to wear it out, and we know, as the system 
wears, the face shows it. Indeed, the neglect of bathing 
frequently shows itself directly on the face, making the 
skin rough and dark, and not unfrequently, blotches and 
irruptions result from this cause. 

The bowels should frequently be washed with tepid 
water, and I must add, that it is necessary to use soap fre- 
quently. I have made a great deal of observation on this 
point. Clear water does not open and cleanse the pores of 
the skin. *Pure, good soap, with tepid water, is necessary, 
that the skin may be healthy, and face fresh. Soap should 
occasionally be used on the face, as well as on the rest of 
the body. After the application of soap, the skin should 
always be thoroughly rinsed with cool, fair water. 

I find one's hands may be kept very white and smooth 
in the winter, by washing them in warm water (not hot, 
this shrivels them), with pure glycerine soap, rinsing them 
very thoroughly in clear water, and then drying them 



10 HOW TO PRESERVE VOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

carefully with a towel: after this, apply a little weak arnica 
water, and again use a dry towel, or rub a little powder or 
dry starch upon them. 



The only rule that I have ever observed myself, on the 
subject of exercise, has been to take it, if possible, in the 
open air. Even if it is damp, the fresh air is always bet- 
ter and more invigorating than the air of a house. I have 
found too, that exercise that was pleasant, was most bene- 
ficial. A walk with a companion who is agreeable, is bet- 
ter than a solitary walk, and any sport by which the 
muscles of the arms are strengthened, is far better than 
any simple exercise in which one takes no interest. I am 
very sure, that exercise accompanied by enjoyment, does 
one ten times the good that that does which is performed 
merely as a duty. 

Violent exercise of any kind shoulcl always be avoided, 
and too long walks. It has been observed, by Mr. N. P. 
Willis, that too much walking makes the eyes hollow and 
sunken, w T hile riding makes them clear and full, f 

And I think all women should know, that much exercise, 
at the time of monthly sickness, is very injurious. One 
reason why the English women preserve their youthful 
look so much longer than the women of Ame'rica, is, be- 
cause they take better care of themselves at this time. 

The look of youth is destroyed sooner by want of care 
at the time of this sickness, than by almost anything else. 
Not only should much exercise be avoided, but one should 
be careful to keep themselves perfectly warm ; particularly 
the feet must be kept warm. 

It is my observation, that in cases of obstruction, it is 
better to bring on the sickness, if possible, by bathing the 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 11 

feet in warm water. I think iron, and many of the medi- 
cines given for this purpose, are apt to thicken the blood. 

The feet should be bathed only just before going to bed, 
and care should be taken, the next day, not to take cold. 
Indeed, it is never safe to put the feet in warm water during 
the day. The ill-effect of this may not appear at once, 
but it will produce difficulty at the monthly sickness. 

It is the opinion of physicians, that hardly anything is 
so injurious to the female constitution, as irregularity in 
these periods. They might add, that nothing tends more 
to give the face a worn, faded look. 

A state of regularity and health, in this particular, gives 
so much clearness and youthful freshness to the face ; it 
seems a pity every woman should not pay attention to it, 
and save herself the risk of growing prematurely old. 

I must add, that I find at the time of this sickness, sit- 
ting too much on a low seat, is straining and wearing. 



The use of a galvanic battery has been recommended 
to preserve full vitality, and the look of youthful fresh- 
ness. There is some danger in the use of galvanism, par- 
ticularly in the case of a sanguine temperament- 

The sun-bath is much better than anything else ; this 
suits all constitutions. The azone of the atmosphere, 
when suffused with the rays of the sun, is not only very 
vitalizing, but there is no reaction after it, as there might 
be after electricity. 

This sun-bath is taken by lying or reclining on a mat- 
tress, in the full sunshine. It is better to take it in the 
morning, because the chemical rays are more powerful at 
that time. 

If the weather will admit, one should be quite stripped ; 



12 HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

and if a bath of soap and water is taken immediately 
before this, the skin is rendered more susceptible, and re- 
ceives more readily vitality from the beams of the sun. 
Nothing, perhaps, is so certain in its effect of producing 
elasticity in the form, and a look of youth and beauty in 
the face, as this. 

It is well known, that this sun-bath is given daily to the 
babies in the French hospitals, and that it is much used 
too, in France, by adults ; it is thought to give vivacity to 
the face, and flexibility to the form. As I said before, the 
skin should be perfectly clean, to derive entire benefit 
from the sun's rays. Indeed, the sun-bath should be taken 
directly after washing with soap and water, while the 
skin is soft and glowing. 



I want to speak of nervousness, very particularly. It 
seems such a pity, for so many who are possessed of good 
looks, and might be brilliant, to grow old long before they 
need to, because they get into the way of being nervous. 
I mean, by this nervousness, a feeling of irritability. Ill- 
natured people call it crossness. 

"When this sense of vexation with the actions of others, 
or any feeling of annoyance with a piece of work, or any- 
thing of that kind comes upon one, it is better to make an 
effort, and prevent, if possible, this nervous irritability. 
To leave the work, and forget for the moment the annoy- 
ance, in some amusement, is the surest way. 

Brooding over any vexation, even if the vexation is 
trifling, contracts the brow, and affects the muscles of the 
mouth, making them in time more or less rigid. 

I feel that I need not hesitate to say, that this letting 
the mind dwell continually on anything vexatious, makes 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOTTTHFTTL LOOKS. 18 

lines and marks years on the face, sooner and more surely 
than anything else. 

One is very certain to meet with annoyances, and often 
a person becomes quite nervous and irritable without being 
conscious of it ; but the moment you are aware in the 
least of it coming upon you, it should be noticed and 
attended to, as much as a headache or indigestion. 

A little quinine, or pulsatilla, is good to quiet the nerves. 
But abetter cure, is a little pleasant exercise in the open air. 
If this cannot be had, anything to amuse one's self— a story to 
read, or pleasure of any kind, till the spirits become light 
and elastic again. 

A sudden burst of temper is not half so trying, as this 
prolonged sense of irritation. Sudden temper, by causing 
a quick rush of blood to the face, clears the small veins 
directly under the skin, and leaves for a while, after the 
first ruddiness, a softened bloom ; it also produces a mo- 
bility of muscle, which tends to prevent a settling of the 
features of the face. One should guard against violent 
passion, however ; it is apt to affect the face about the eyes, 
and often produces the little wrinkles, called crow's-feet. 

But of that prolonged and wearing irritability of which 
I was speaking, I can hardly say too much, guarding you 
against it ; for nothing so fatally and indelibly leaves the 
mark of age on the face as this. 

As I have before said, one ought to cultivate, and keep 
up a fondness for pleasure. This, more than anything 
else, keeps smiles on the face, and nothing so much as 
smiles keeps the face smooth and flexible, preserving, too, 
the youthful curve of the mouth. 

Smiles light the eyes, and not only make a person look 
younger, but to a face that is really old, they lend a great 
deal of charming attractiveness. 

Of course, I don't speak of artificial smiles, which are 



14 HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

forced, or put on, but I mean, the smiles that come as a 
matter of course, when the spirits are light, and a person 
is wide-awake to enjoy pleasure. 

I have seen so many faces, that really had no beauty of 
feature, made so very young and beautiful by a wreath of 
smiles, that one could scarcely realize that the features 
were not good ; and as I say, the only way to secure this, 
is by keeping the spirits light. 



I should like to suggest to you something about controll- 
ing the features. I have observed, that always the deep 
lines or wrinkles, across the forehead, in persons who are 
not old, are simply caused by the habit of elevating the 
eyebrows, thereby wrinkling the forehead. It is very un- 
fortunate to fall into this habit, for it is difficult to break, 
and produces these deep lines across the face, which some- 
times are permanent. 

I have seen mere children have these lines. 

The vertical lines, too, between the eyes, are often the 
result of inattention. Going out in a bright sunshine, 
without the eyes shaded, or sitting with the full light from 
a window before the face, naturally contracts the brow, and 
marks this line. Any one, coming up Broadway, in the mid- 
dle day, when the sun is bright, and observing the ladies, as 
they walk down, with the sun in their faces, will be con- 
vinced of this ; indeed, I have heard it spoken of, as a 
characteristic of the ladies of New York. 

As a precaution against this habit of drawing the brows 
together, it is well to observe, that one's bed is not so 
placed, that any strong light shall come directly in the 
face, before waking in the morning. Strong light, even 
when one is asleep, tends to contract the brows. 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 15 

I have known ladies who thought that a. very fascinat- 
ing expression might be cultivated in the eye. It may, 
perhaps, be done, but in every case where I have known it 
attempted, a very absurd look is given to the face, because 
the expression is always exaggerated. 

The only possible way of cultivating the expression of 
the eye, is through the muscles of the mouth ; these are 
very mobile, and without doubt, easily cultivated. 

The expression of the mouth not only affects the beauty 
and look of refinement in the face, but the look of youth. 
If the mouth is settled and stiff in its expression the face 
is old ; if it is flexible in curve, and graceful in play, the 
face is young. 

The mouth, is the only feature we really can control. 
Everybody knows, any vexation shows itself at the mouth, 
and that smiles actually and entirely alter the form of the 
feature. From this, it would seem, that cultivating the 
sentiments of the heart would refine and beautify the 
mouth, and it is really true. The character of a person, 
as any physiognomist knows, is read better from the 
mouth, than from any other feature. 

Of all the features, the soonest marked by age, is the 
mouth. But as I have said, if the heart is gay, and light, 
and young, the face is young, the mouth, particularly, pre- 
serving its youthful expression. 

There is danger in cultivating a particular expression in 
the mouth, that the effort will be stiff, and that the expres- 
sion will be an absurd, exaggerated one. And, too, there 
is great danger in attempting to imitate the expression of 
another person ; for what is quite becoming to one cast of 
feature, is often exceedingly unbecoming to another style. 
So, I could not advise any one to attempt the cultivation 
of a particular expression of the mouth as a permanent 
effect. It is, however, well known, that the most eminent 



16 HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

dramatic reader in the world, is able to transform her face 
into one of exquisite loveliness ; of course, she cannot 
change the shape of her nose, or the contour of her face ; 
the change is effected almost wholly through the medium 
of the mouth. 



On the subject of dress, let me say, first thing, it is as 
bad to affect a very youthful style of dress, as it is to put 
on very young manners. But, as I would beg you not to 
draw yourself up in a prim, prudish style of acting ; so I 
would say, don't be afraid to wear anything that you like, 
and that is becoming to you ; don't get ilf into your head 
for an instant, that such and such things must be worn to 
suit your age ; anything suits your age that is becoming 
to you. 

A white satin hat would not be becoming to a very 
elderly lady, unless, as is sometimes the case, the complex- 
ion still retained its freshness. White, or delicate colors, 
can be worn by any one, no matter how old they are, if 
the complexion will admit of it. 

It is a great mistake for ladies to suit tueir dress to 
their age, or to the opinion of other people, instead of 
choosing that which is becoming. 

It is best to follow the fashion. One can do that, and yet, 
guided by their own individual taste, have a decided style 
of their own. 

The only article of dress of which I can speak, the 
fashions changing so continually, is the head dress. An 
elaborate head dress has always the effect to make a 
person look old. A flower, a bow of ribbon, or any simple 
ornament, does not produce this effect. 

Nothing should be put on the head, unless it is very 



HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOES. IT 

becoming. It is a pity to wear anything, however hand- 
some in itself, that spoils the general effect. 

So with the dress, — some can wear a dress profusely 
trimmed, and look well in it ; but a more simple style of 
making a dress is always more youthful. 

There are two things I must not omit to mention, in 
speaking of this matter of dress ; they have so much to do 
with the expression of the face, and the wearing out of 
the youthful look. 

One of these things is, the wearing the clothes tight 
around the waist ; this, by impeding the circulation, causes 
a redness and roughness of the skin, and very certainly 
destroys the fresh, youthful look of the complexion. 

Many, knowing this, still have their clothes made very 
tight, with the idea that it gives them a trim, stj^lish look ; 
it certainly gives them a trim look, but quite spoils the 
soft, flexible, graceful style, that gentlemen so much 
admire. 

The other point, of which I wish to speak, is the cus- 
tom almost universal with ladies, of wearing their skirts 
without any support from the shoulders. They think if 
their corsets prevent their clothes from feeling uncomfort- 
able at the waist, that is sufficient ; but without a shoulder 
strap to support, the corsets as well as the skirts press 
constantly and heavily upon the most delicate part of the 
system, and cause the difficulties of which so many women 
are suffering. 

I wonder that physicians are not more strenuous on this 
point ; and I als© wonder that ladies are not, when they 
must see that bearing so hard on their most delicate 
organs, destroy* not only their health, but shows itself at 
once on the face ; not only ruining the complexion, but 
spoiling the expression, and giving a settled, faded look to 
the whole face. 



18 HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTHFUL LOOKS. 

In speaking of taste in dress, I forgot to remark upon 
the dressing of the hair. The face is made to look very 
much younger by dressing the hair in the particular style 
that best suits the cast of feature. 

Every one should give some attention to this point. 
Curls are becoming to some, and braids to others. It is 
well always to follow the fashion ; but at the same time 
any little alteration that is becoming, or tends to give a 
youthful expression, should be adopted. Too elaborate a 
dressing of the hair, like too elaborate a style of trim- 
ming the dress, will almost always be found to make a 
person look older. 




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